Kitchen Countertops: What to Consider

When choosing new countertops for your kitchen, there are a lot of things to consider, such as the cost of your kitchen countertop remodel. There are many different materials to choose from, and it might seem like an overwhelming task to choose the right one for your kitchen. Several things should be considered before buying new countertops.

Consider your kitchen.

This might sound obvious to you, but it is important. Consider the size and shape of your kitchen. If you have an irregularly shaped kitchen, or your kitchen is very large, you might want to go for a lighter material so that is does not make the room too dark, or a material that is easy to cut to size, so you won’t add unnecessary costs to your remodel.

Consider your cabinets.

Yes! Your cabinets! The kitchen countertops will rest on the cabinets that are directly underneath it, and this can cause a problem for some heavier materials. Always ask a contractor or a design consultant to see if your current cabinets can support the weight of your new countertops, or if your new countertops will make it necessary to replace your cabinets as well, something you might not have budgeted for.
Consider the upkeep. Every kitchen countertop material is different. There are some materials that are very easy to clean, they can take high heat and they are stain and cut resistant. There are other materials that are a lot harder to take good care of. Research the stone you are interested in to see if it is porous, if it can absorb water, and if it will need to be regularly sealed. This is work, and you may or may not want to sign up for it.

Consider color.

Look at the difference in stone color and patterns. Some stone patterns can be quite loud. The stone slab in the shop might look quite different than that same stone installed in your home. Consider the color of the walls and ceiling, the color of the cabinets and the appliances. You do not want to make your kitchen too dark, and you don’t want to wash out the colors you do have. Asking a design consultant for the best color and pattern is a great start.

Consider countertop durability and your ROI (Return on Investment).

When adding new kitchen countertops to your home, you always want to keep in mind your own plans for the home. Do you plan to live in that home for a long time, or do you plan to sell in the next few years? How much do you want to spend on countertops that you won’t be using for more than a few years? This is not to say that you should buy the cheapest material out there, because that will in turn devalue the house and will make picky buyers back out of a sale. Your ROI (return on investment) will be higher with a better quality and longer lasting material, but there are certain kinds of high end stone that do not add much additional value and therefore do not add to your ROI. Do your research and talk about it with a design consultant.